Getting Started with Home Care

If you’ve been in the hospital a discharge planner will work with an agency to ensure that your home care is coordinated and the transition from hospital to home is as seamless as possible. If you’ve suffered an injured, or have a chronic illness that requires additional care, your physician might call us to set up home care for you.

But many times, something has happened: Perhaps the last few conversations with your mom have concerned you. or maybe your dad fell in the shower for the second time this week. Maybe your friend or relative has been recently diagnosed or has a chronic illness and has taken a serious turn. And more often then not the need for home care has developed gradually. Some signs your loved one is a candidate for home care may be:

Declining ability to wash and dress

Memory loss or forgetfulness

Significant weight loss

Difficulty finding words

Changes in speaking, understanding or thinking

Growing social isolation

Piles of unpaid bills and unopened mail

Household chores not being done

Family members live at a distance or are juggling many needs

Aging, dementia or the physical or emotional recovery from a health problem that requires special nursing care or simply a hand to hold

Chuck Farthing, Atlantic AllCare’s Vice President says, “Folks that call us are worried. They know they need help, but don’t know the best solution or where to turn. Mr. Farthing recommends 3 steps to take:

1. Give Atlantic AllCare a call at (954) 427-4546. Your call will be answered by an expert, who will listen and then discuss the services that would likely be appropriate for your situation. Think of Atlantic AllCare as Home Health Care 101. We’ll explain what your loved one is entitled to and answer all of your questions, so you have all the information you need to make an informed and rational decision.

2. Decide on a plan. You can have your loved one’s doctor call us with a referral, or if you’re the sole caregiver, you can decide which services are needed during that initial phone call. Many times the caller doing the research needs to let other family members know what’s available. If you’re calling on behalf of other caregivers, let us know. We can send out information, or we can direct you to specific pages on our website that may help you to answer their questions. Of course, you’re also welcome to call us back during that conversation.

3. After you and your family have made a decision, let us know and we’ll take it from there. We’ll work with your loved one’s doctor to get a referral so that home care can begin as soon as possible.

“We’re here for you” says Farthing, “and we make it as easy as possible during what is many times a difficult decision and period in your life. We want to make sure you have the tools and the support you need.”